wijZigingsorder

A wijzigingsorder is a formal document used in project management, particularly in construction and engineering, to authorize a modification of the project scope, design, specifications, materials, workmanship, schedule, or cost. It is issued after a change request and serves as an official contract amendment that binds both client and contractor to the agreed change.

Typical contents of a wijzigingsorder include a clear description of the change, the rationale for it, the specific parts of the contract affected, the revised quantities or specifications, any adjustment to the contract sum, the revised completion date, and assumptions or constraints that apply. It often cites the relevant clauses in the original contract and may reference drawings, models, or technical documents that illustrate the change.

The process generally involves a change request, an assessment of impacts on time, cost, quality, and risk, followed by approval from the designated authorities within the client’s organization and the contractor’s team. Once approved, the wijzigingsorder is issued, and project baselines (schedule, budget) are updated accordingly. In many contracts, terms distinguish between changes that constitute “meerwerk” (additional work) and changes that modify existing scope, each handled through the same control mechanism.

The wijzigingsorder has legal and financial significance because it formalizes contract modifications and creates enforceable rights and obligations. Without a signed wijZigingsorder, changes can lead to disputes over compensation, delays, or performance obligations. Key actors include the opdrachtgever (client/owner), de opdrachtnemer (contractor), projectmanager, and, where applicable, ontwerpers/ingenieurs or quantity surveyors.